Sunday, August 21, 2016

AIY- MIxed Media Art Retreat

It's been a while since I returned from the AIY mixed media retreat at Noosa. While I don't generally do my best work in workshops, the opportunity to try new techniques, and materials, is not to be missed.

Brick By Brick

﻿The above is a collage from Seth Apter's workshop 'Brick By Brick'. I pulled the original (on 12" x 12" canvas") to bits and started again on 10" x 10" board. The canvas made it difficult to glue the bricks evenly due to its flexibility. I was happier with this version. Don't know why I chose green...it seems to be coming up a lot lately.I had two days painting with Kecia Deveney, a full-on experimental mark-making experience. Of course I'm not all that happy with the result, but it's a work in progress and will change dramatically before it's done.

A multitude of techniques here, on 36" x 36" canvas. I now know why the workshop was called 'Art Brut'. It's raw, rough, aggressive, and totally unrefined. Perhaps I was channelling Basquiat.By the last day I was quite unwell, having caught a 'bug' on the first day and despite masses of cold/flu medication. I was glad I'd chosen a wind-down class with the lovely Linda Lucas. I sat down to make some greeting cards using all sorts of techniques and tools that I'm not usually familiar with.

Making cards is fiddly at the best of times, but it's certainly made easier with an assortment of cut-outs, and stamps. FUN!The whole four days was full of the wonderful enthusiasm engendered by large groups of creative people. Definitely not to be missed. Wonder woman Sallianne McClelland , who is the driving force behind AIY retreats here, and in the USA, has ensured that each AIY retreat is absolutely full of experiences, excitement, and the opportunity to make lasting friendships.Remember I said I totally dismantled my original 'Brick By Brick' on canvas? Well, after tearing off the bricks, I had such a great surface for another kind of work, that I added some rust-dyed muslin, ink, and porcupine quills. Now I have a piece that is more 'me'.

9 comments:

I did the first aid when it was in Melbourne. Fantastic, hope they do another closer to home. Such fun. I like the fact that you did things out of your comfort zone and then went back to doing something very nice, but more you.

I hope by now you are feeling yourself, because it is sad when you pay all that money, then get sick in the middle of the workshops. I have to admit, although I was truly impressed with everything you shared from the retreat, I most enjoyed your final canvas. It spoke to me, possibly because I am such a fan of rust.

I agree that card making is fiddly. That may be why I let others make them and I sit back and admire them. Yours are fun and really quite lovely. I'm sure anyone would appreciate receiving one.

WOW talk about giving something a new life.Your last piece is marvelous Jo.Really fun to see what you created in your various classes.I agree about it not being easy to create in class rooms.My first hurdle is knowing what to bring along which actually has stopped me from taking classes as it just seems to be too much.I am intrigued by your ART BRUT class piece!Never fun feeling poorly but gosh what a shame it happened on your art weekend...bummer!Hope you are good as new by now and having a great weekend oxo

So glad to see what you're up to - the cards are cute BUT the art is so cool! I like the graphic style of bricks, but you're right- quills is much more your usual style. I love repurposing canvases for just that reason. Too bad you were under the weather - but, doesn't look like your art suffered much. :)